The Inspector General's report describes CIA interrogators menacing suspects with guns and power drills and threatening to rape their wives and kill their children. Did Bush White House officials authorize torture? What's next for the CIA, the FBI and efforts to protect America's national security? Also, President Obama nominates Fed Chair Bernanke to a second term, and Scotland, Libya and the Lockerbie bomber.

FROM THIS EPISODE

The Inspector General's report describes CIA interrogators menacing suspects with guns and power drills and threatening to rape their wives and kill their children. Did Bush White House officials authorize torture? What's next for the CIA, the FBI and efforts to protect America's national security? Also, President Obama nominates Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke to a second term, and we hear from Scotland about the political consequences of releasing the Lockerbie bomber.

Just as Wall Street opened for business today, President Obama announced his decision to nominate Ben Bernanke to a second term as Chair of the Federal Reserve. Interrupting his vacation on Martha’s Vineyard, the President credited Bernanke’s “bold action and out-of-the-box thinking has helped put the brakes on our economic freefall.” Edmund Andrews reports for the New York Times.

Guests:Edmund Andrews, Chief Washington Economics Correspondent, New York Times

A lawsuit by the American Civil Liberties Union forced the Obama Administration to release a CIA Inspector General’s report kept secret since 2004. Now we know that CIA interrogators used a gun and a power drill, faked an execution, choked one prisoner and threatened to kill another one’s children. Former Vice President Dick Cheney says they deserve America’s gratitude. Attorney General Eric Holder wants them investigated for possible crimes. President Obama established a new, Interagency Interrogation Group led by the FBI. Should policy-makers in the Bush White House be held accountable, too? Can the CIA still do its job? What’s the new role of the FBI? What does it take to protect America’s safety and obey the law?

Release of the Lockerbie bomber on grounds of “compassion” led to angry criticism of Scotland's Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill. The jubilant reception for cancer-victim Abdelbaset Al-Megrahi on his return to Libya made matters worse. Yesterday, before the Scottish Parliament, MacAskill expressed regret for the manner in which Al-Megrahi was received and apparent disregard of the Libyan government's assurance that his return would low-key.” Magnus Linklater, Scottish Editor for the Times of London, considers what it could mean for MacAskill and Scotland's reputation.